Mary Siddon (

fl. ''Floruit'' (; abbreviated fl. or occasionally flor.; from Latin for "they flourished") denotes a date or period during which a person was known to have been alive or active. In English, the unabbreviated word may also be used as a noun indicatin ...

1783) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

thief. In 1783, Siddon was convicted of stealing a pork ham. She was sentenced to be 'severely and privately whipped, in the presence of females only.' This was considered to be a turning-point in English attitudes to public

violence Violence is the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy. Other definitions are also used, such as the World Health Organization's definition of violence as "the intentional use of physical force or Power (social and p ...

and a marker of the beginning of a more professionalised approach to

policing The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and th ...

and punishment.

References

* ''The London Mob: Violence and Disorder in 18th-century England'' by Robert Shoemaker * ''Mob mentalities'', Robert Shoemanker, p. 53,

BBC History Magazine ''BBC History Magazine'' is a British publication devoted to both British and world history and aimed at all levels of knowledge and interest. The publication releases thirteen editions a year, one per month and a Christmas special edition, an ...

, October 2004 {{DEFAULTSORT:Siddon, Mary Year of birth unknown Year of death unknown 18th-century English criminals British people convicted of theft 18th-century English women 18th-century English people